Fairhaven event to benefit foster children's charity

Wednesday

Dec 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM

FAIRHAVEN — Supreme Perfection Dance Studios owner Kassandra Lynn-Gonsalves learned at a young age about the challenges faced by foster children, an insight that led her to found the charity "Good Night Sleep Tight."

JOHN GARCIA

FAIRHAVEN — Supreme Perfection Dance Studios owner Kassandra Lynn-Gonsalves learned at a young age about the challenges faced by foster children, an insight that led her to found the charity "Good Night Sleep Tight."

Now she hopes to raise money for the organization with an event featuring "Dance Moms" star Chloe Lukasiak, to be held Friday at Lynn-Gonsalves' 67 Huttleston Ave. studio.

Lori Truehart, Lynn-Gonsalves' mother and president of the organization, said her daughter came up with the idea for the charity at the age of nine when she read a story about how foster children had to carry their few belongings in trash bags when they were moved from home to home.

"I decided that I wanted to do something about it," Lynn-Gonsalves said.

At her 10th birthday party, Lynn-Gonsalves asked her guests to help her decorate pillowcases to be filled with such items as stuffed animals so the children would never be alone, address books so they could keep in touch with friends, and toys. The pillowcases were then delivered to the state's Department of Children and Families.

Truehart said that in the nine years since that birthday party, more than 10,000 pillowcases have been donated.

She pointed out that many foster children lack stability in their lives. "There's children out there that don't know where they're going to sleep at night," she said.

To raise money for the charity, there will be a meet-and-greet session from 3 to 6 p.m. that will include an autographed photo with Lukasiak and a bracelet from Lukasiak's "Glitzy Girl" line of jewelry. There will also be a VIP party held from 2 to 3 p.m. featuring a question-and-answer session, as well as refreshments.

Glitzy Girl will sell a "Good Night Sleep Tight" charm at the event to benefit the charity, as well as another charm benefitting family members of Sandy Hook victims.

For ticket information on the event, visit www.dancemoms.eventbrite.com. Anyone interested in more information about Good Night Sleep Tight can contact Truehart at 508-287-1907 or ecdiamonddolls@comcast.net.